Secret Santa GB 22/23

Glamdring

The jet factory has opened fot the year, starting with the Phantom.  The office is nearly finished and the seats temprarily occupied for the photo.

I think the plane's stick is supposed to be molded into the pilot figure, since there is not a separate piece for one.  That or they molded him doing something unmentionable... 

 

LMFAO

TheMongoose

 

 

Glamdring

The jet factory has opened fot the year, starting with the Phantom.  The office is nearly finished and the seats temprarily occupied for the photo.

I think the plane's stick is supposed to be molded into the pilot figure, since there is not a separate piece for one.  That or they molded him doing something unmentionable... 

 

 

 

 

 

LMFAO

 

BK

Hi folks, this is looking like a great year, some awsome kits in there, if you don't count questionable behaviours of Phantom pilots....... Would never happen in the Navy......

Anyway, moving right along, as they used to say on Laugh In..... I have taken pics of the sprues for the Zero, as I thought you might like to take in the detail, so bear with me.

This kit is simply awesome, but be aware, a good study of the instructions and colour plates will pay dividends. I have chosen to do an aircraft of the Tainan kokutai at Buna in 1943. Now spending some time looking at references. Thaaaaaank you Santa!

Dodgy

That does look like a really nice kit, Robert. Certainly has far more parts than the old Tamiya kit. Should build up awesome.

BK

Progress has been made on the Phantom.  The fuselage has been sealed and the wings installed.

The seams needed some work, but I think they are set.  We'll find out when I prime it.

I am thinking of making this an in flight display, if the wheelwell doors have a good fit and don't pose too much of a hassle.  Do any of you experienced aircraft builders have recommendations for a stand?

Glamdring

Progress has been made on the Phantom.  The fuselage has been sealed and the wings installed.

The seams needed some work, but I think they are set.  We'll find out when I prime it.

I am thinking of making this an in flight display, if the wheelwell doors have a good fit and don't pose too much of a hassle.  Do any of you experienced aircraft builders have recommendations for a stand?

 

BK

Starting to make some headway on the Mercedes. I have the nose piece glued in and filled. The kit part just adds this where the real car the nose is all one piece. I have filled the gap with CA and putty. I primed all the parts and found the nose to still need some work. More sanding and she is looking ready for more primer. Filled some pin holes with CA again. I have also started to paint all the small parts. I hope I can paint the body this weekend, but I'm not gonna rush it. I want it perfect. That's it for now.

BK

That is a sweet looking ride!

That really is going to be a nice Mercedes!

Clear acrylic rod would definitely be the way to go.  Need to put a brass rod in the phantom to accept the clear rod. 

Thanks for the tips for a display base.  I have been watching a number of youtube videos on the matter, and some indeed used acrylic rods.  We'll see....

Assembly is bascically done on the aircraft itself, this was the state of it last night.

Today's build session was spent cleaning up the intake seams, priming, and chasing other seams.  I ordered a Vietnam War jet paint set, so painting will take place later this week, hopefully.

Looks great.  I just love the phantom.  I have a J done, an E in the stash and I want a wild weasel G

Glamdring

Thanks for the tips for a display base.  I have been watching a number of youtube videos on the matter, and some indeed used acrylic rods.  We'll see....

Assembly is bascically done on the aircraft itself, this was the state of it last night.

Today's build session was spent cleaning up the intake seams, priming, and chasing other seams.  I ordered a Vietnam War jet paint set, so painting will take place later this week, hopefully.

 

BK

Thanks, guys.  Yeah, the set was Vallejo's Vietnam War SEA set.  

Started some work on He-219. Hans and Fritz are in their office but not quite ready for takeoff

castelnuovo

Started some work on He-219. Hans and Fritz are in their office but not quite ready for takeoff

 

BK

BK: Nice Mercedes! That's gonna look real sharp.

Glamdring: Phantom is looking good. The more I see these built, the more the plane grows on me. This may just be the motivation I need to finally pick up a J.

Castel: Very nice cockpit. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one come together

Glam - You're making good time on that Phantom!

Castel - Tell Franz to keep an eye on Fritz. I heard he made a visit to the Biergarten last night for a few pints of Pilsner!

Just when I think I'm ready to glue the canopy on and call it done, I overthink the weathering and delve into a mess. This is controlled chaos I promise.

Nice work on the office Castel.

Good luck Mopar!  LOL

The Phantom has the camo based in, still working on some clean up spots, and trying to figure out why the metallic has bits of the basecoat showing through that I can't see with the Mark 1 eyeball, but show up on the camera.  

Next up, detail painting, the external stores, and eventually the in flight display base when all those supplies arrive.

Mopar Madness

Just when I think I'm ready to glue the canopy on and call it done, I overthink the weathering and delve into a mess. This is controlled chaos I promise.

 

BK

Glamdring

Nice work on the office Castel.

Good luck Mopar!  LOL

The Phantom has the camo based in, still working on some clean up spots, and trying to figure out why the metallic has bits of the basecoat showing through that I can't see with the Mark 1 eyeball, but show up on the camera.  

Next up, detail painting, the external stores, and eventually the in flight display base when all those supplies arrive.

 

BK

After few Pilseners in der Biergarten with few Frauleins, Hans and Fritz feel that some pieces are not quite where they should be

Nice work on the office Castel.

Good luck Mopar!  LOL

The Phantom has the camo based in, still working on some clean up spots, and trying to figure out why the metallic has bits of the basecoat showing through that I can't see with the Mark 1 eyeball, but show up on the camera.  

Next up, detail painting, the external stores, and eventually the in flight display base when all those supplies arrive.

If you need any advice or help on the base drop me a line at cvandegr at icloud dot com be happy to help. Here's my last one with a simple acrylic rod in the exhaust. No holes needed lol

castelnuovo

After few Pilseners in der Biergarten with few Frauleins, Hans and Fritz feel that some pieces are not quite where they should be

 

BK

TheMongoose

Nice work on the office Castel.

Good luck Mopar!  LOL

The Phantom has the camo based in, still working on some clean up spots, and trying to figure out why the metallic has bits of the basecoat showing through that I can't see with the Mark 1 eyeball, but show up on the camera.  

Next up, detail painting, the external stores, and eventually the in flight display base when all those supplies arrive.

If you need any advice or help on the base drop me a line at cvandegr at icloud dot com be happy to help. Here's my last one with a simple acrylic rod in the exhaust. No holes needed lol

 

BK

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT !!

Just a quick announcement for all the wonderful peeps that join me every year in this super fun build. After this year wraps up I will no longer be doing the SSGB. If someone wants to take up the mantle and run it and do their own thing with it, they are more than welcome to do so. Sign ups are pretty steady over the years, but actual participation in GB's is at an all time low and I'm getting tired so I feel it's time to pass it on and move on. FSM seems to be dying, I don't know why, but it shows big time in the GB's over the past few years. This year is the worst I've ever seen. We will continue to have fun with this one and watch as everyone builds those super cool gifts.

BK

I hear you and don't quite know what to say. There was that discussion about bleak GB scene. I sign up here and there but few topics get my attention, even if i really enjoy GBs. But I build what gets my attention, not just for the sake of building something. Danno re dying FSM...maybe. I don't have a subsription, there is nothing there that one can't get here for free. I checked other modeling forums but they all look somehow disjointed, way too many sub forums, sub-sub topics etc. Just can't be bothered to figure them out, FSM is very easy and well organized.

I don't mind hosting GBs but it is quite disheartening to have bunch of people sign up but only few finish.

Either way, thanks for hosting this one, it is much appreciated

The main landing gears were a nice little sub-project